UPDATE: US officials: No delays in rescue effort in Libya

WASHINGTON — CIA security officers went to the aid of State Department staff less than 25 minutes after they got the first call for help during the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, U.S. intelligence officials said Thursday as they laid out a detailed timeline of the CIA's immediate response to the attack. The attack on the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks on the United States by what is now suspected to be a group of al-Qaida-linked militants killed U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans. The timeline was offered just days before Tuesday's presidential election in a clear effort to refute recent news reports that said the CIA told its personnel to "stand down" rather than go to the consulate to help repel the attackers. The officials told reporters that when the CIA annex received a call saying the consulate was under attack less than a mile (1.6 kilometers) away, about half a dozen members of a CIA security team tried to get heavy weapons and other assistance from the Libyans. But when none was available, they went ahead with the rescue attempt. The officials said that at no point was the team told to wait. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to provide intelligence information publicly. The Obama administration's response to the attack on the consulate has been challenged by Republicans in Congress and elsewhere, questioning whether enough military and other support was requested and received. And it has become an issue in the election, with President Barack Obama's Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, and Republican lawmakers accusing the White House of misleading Americans about the nature of the attack. Initial descriptions of the attack suggested that it may have been linked to a protest over an American-made anti-Muslim film. On Thursday, intelligence officials said they had early information that the attackers had ties to al-Qaida-linked groups, but did not make it public immediately because it was based on classified intelligence. And they said the early public comments about the attack and its genesis were cautious and limited, as they routinely are in such incidents. They added that while intelligence officials indicated early on that extremists were involved in the assault, only later were officials able to confirm that the attack was not generated by a protest over the film. Timeline Here is a minute-by-minute look at how the security teams' response played out, according to U.S. intelligence officials. All times are local for Benghazi. — 9:40 p.m. The CIA annex receives its first call that the consulate has come under attack. — Less than 25 minutes later, the security team leaves the annex en route to the consulate. — Over the next 25 minutes, team members approach the compound and attempt to get heavy weapons. When they cannot secure heavy weapons, they make their way onto the compound itself in the face of enemy fire. — 11:11 p.m. A Defense Department surveillance drone — an unarmed Predator — that had been requested arrives over the consulate compound. — 11:30 p.m. All U.S. personnel have departed the consulate except for Stevens, who is missing. The vehicles come under fire as they leave the facility. — Over the next 90 minutes, the CIA annex comes under sporadic fire from small arms and rocket-propelled grenades. The security team returns fire, dispersing the attackers. — Around 1 a.m., a team of additional security personnel from Tripoli lands at the Benghazi airport and attempts to find a ride into town. Upon learning that Stevens is missing and that the situation at the CIA annex has calmed, the team focuses on locating Stevens and obtaining information about the security situation at the hospital. — Before dawn, the team at the airport finally manages to secure transportation and armed escort. Having learned that Stevens is almost certainly dead and that the security situation at the hospital is uncertain, the team heads to the CIA annex to assist with the evacuation. In the attack, the State Department also has said that a department computer expert, Sean Smith, was killed. — 5:15 a.m. The team arrives at the CIA annex, with Libyan support, just before mortar rounds begin to hit the facility. Two security officers are killed when they take direct mortar fire while engaging the attackers. The attack lasts only 11 minutes before dissipating. — Less than an hour later, a heavily armed Libyan military unit arrives at the CIA annex to help evacuate all U.S. personnel and takes them to the airport.

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Yeah, what a CROCK, guns! Our President refused to help our Ambassador because…he sympathizes with radical Muslims? But he ordered the death of bin Laden? Curious. He uses drones to kill radical Muslims on a regular basis. Curiouser. He thought it would help his chances to be re-elected? That crosses over to illogical and truly a CROCK!
A few hours of confusion, violence, and 2nd guessing…to condemn Obama. Yeah, that is a CROCK but what else do you have, guns? Using such a tragic loss for political advantage is the real CROCK.
Here's a suggestion, guns. Find some comparison to Hitler. I know you can do it if you work at it.

This timeline is from the same people that forged Obama's Birth Certificate. Timeline does not mean SQUAT. The real fact is they did nothing to try and help. They probably sat back and ate popcorn and planned for their rally the next day,, Thinking up new lies that they can fill our heads with. Do they think that people are this stupid. What did we just wake up from sleeping on a nuclear reactor and our brains are nothing but "Mush". Time to fire our president and let a real leader take over!

WASHINGTON — CIA security officers went to the aid of State Department staff less than 25 minutes after they got the first call for help during the attack on the U.S. Consulate. So, for LESS than 25 minutes (how much less) ? During that less than 25 minutes the CIA agents were trying to find heavy weapons and help form Libyan forces. Failing that, about a half dozen, (how many is about half a dozen, two, three five) proceeded to the aid of those requesting help, without knowing what was going on, who were the attackers and how many attackers were involved, with no heavy weapons and no back up. Right. The team of CIA (about half a dozen) fought their way into the compound, none of them were injured or killed, afterwards they returned to the CIA compound and dispersed the attackers there. Man, that is one hell of a team of CIA agents, about half a dozen. I wonder if Rambo was with them.

— Around 1 a.m., a team of additional security personnel from Tripoli arrived and sit at the airport until dawn (6 or 7) because they couldn’t FIND A RIDE?

American officials knew that the attackers were al qaida but could not tell the America people because it was classified.

No it was all a mob that got out of control because of a Youtube Video.

That's what we were told umpteen times. Our revered VP said in the debate "we didn't know anything." And NOW.... all we get after 8 weeks is "we're investigating." This is way bigger than Watergate. Four American lives were essentially sacrificed by our current Administration which didn't care, is inept, or perhaps there really is an empty chair in the White House.

Of course there were emails requesting help. There was a "cable" three weeks before 9/11/12 that was very clear about the threat. And real-time video and audio. But they ARE STILL INVESTIGATING? And now... Mrs. Clinton indicates that no one was told to "stand down." Really?

So, we are being asked to believe the REAL people on the ground are liars, and the emails, the testimony, the cable are all lies and it is the politicians who have been completely truthful and forth coming the entire time.

AND SHAME ON THE MEDIA. If this had happened when a republican was President the mainstream media would have been giving this issue a daily prostate exam. But they have essentially ignored it because THEY want to pick our next President, rather than leave that to the people.

No Pop, Rambo wasn't there, it isn't like the movies. Real people, not super heros, did the best they could do. Yes it was a terror attack that was planned, not just a response to a youtube video but many here seem to want to deny that having the whole damn lot of the natives there enraged from that video didn't help the planners of this attack a great deal, this isn't the case.

@ concerned @ This timeline is from the same people that forged Obama's Birth Certificate.

I’m sure the folks on the ground in Libya did the best they could working with what they had, that was never the question and certainly not my suggestion.
What I am saying it that based on the testimony from those on the ground and the supporting evidence, this news release is nothing more than more attempts to cover up and muddy the water. Simple logic indicates that this is one great big crock of bull manure.

If this were the real story, then why are they waiting until now to report it? They needed time to create a story they felt was believable, that's why. After the Ambassador asked for additional security days before the attack, why not quietly evacuate then? At least this does expose Biden as a liar. I can't wait to see how he responds to this. I'm sure he'll say it was the only way he could respond at the time. The comment he made to the father of one of the victims sickens me. Such a needless tragedy.

if Hamm had not been relieved of command less than a minute after telling his people to mobilize.
It has also now been confirmed there was a direct phone call from Stephens before the attack that was not acted on that requested assistance

The pseudo-Americans who have responded to this articles are victims of the Republican Party. You are no different than the USSR during the Cold War. You are addicted to anything that runs down our current administration, and just widen the gap in our country. No wonder we are being overrun by Chinese and Arab money. If our two party government is ever overrun, it will not be Republican or Democrats that run our country.

Regardless of my doubts about this story if the requests for more security forces had been honored then the incident likely could of at least been controlled better. If the proper research had been performed when the requests were made and it was decided the adequate support couldn't be provided then everyone should of been pulled out and the embassy closed. There were some very bad decisions made that resulted in the loss of American lives. Those responsible should answer just like those responsible for the loss of live in Fast and Furious should answer. But instead all we hear are lies and refusals to produce requested information. And when backed into the wall then Obama claims executive privelege so Holder won't be held accountable. Anyone falling for this attempt to save his re election bid a few days before the election needs to quit drinking the Obama/Liberal Kool Aid.

I just turned on the TV and this news article was being discussed. I switched channels and the series, “Leave it to Beaver” was on, you know, where the Mom does housework with a prefect hair do, full make up and high heels. Dad does yard work dressed in a business suit and tie and the kids keep their room clean and never fight.
I wanted to watch the more realistic program, so I’m watching “The Beaver”.

Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because if there be one he must approve of the homage of reason more than that of blindfolded fear. Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Peter Carr, August 10, 1787

minutes of the word getting out about it being attacked. Here are two reports that tell the same story:http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/02/world/africa/cia-played-major-defensiv...
"WASHINGTON — Security officers from the C.I.A. played a pivotal role in combating militants who attacked the American diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11, deploying a rescue party from a secret base in the city, sending reinforcements from Tripoli, and organizing an armed Libyan military convoy to escort the surviving Americans to hastily chartered planes that whisked them out of the country, senior intelligence officials said Thursday.

The account given by the senior officials, who did not want to be identified, provided the most detailed description to date of the C.I.A.’s role in Benghazi, a covert presence that appears to have been much more significant than publicly disclosed.

Within 25 minutes of being alerted to the attack against the diplomatic mission, half a dozen C.I.A. officers raced there from their base about a mile away, enlisting the help of a handful of Libyan militia fighters as they went. Arriving at the mission about 25 minutes after that, the C.I.A. officers joined State Department security agents in a futile search through heavy smoke and enemy fire for Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens before evacuating the mission’s personnel to the apparent safety of their base, which American officials have called an annex to the mission. Mr. Stevens was one of four Americans killed in the attack."

It turns out that only about 7 staff members of the Libya US office were actual diplomats and consular officers. The rest were CIA employees or CIA contract workers like the two ex-SEAL members that were also killed. Having clandestine CIA offices in a hot spot like Libya should not surprise anyone. If not for the CIA agents actions, the rest of the actual diplomats and their families might not have got out at all per the articles.